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Vibration

Vibration is a risk factor for a number of conditions including injuries to the fingers and hands and back. Two types of vibration hazard can affect workers: hand-arm vibration and whole-body vibration.

The risks

Assessing the risks

How to reduce the risks

Resources

The risks

Hand-arm vibration

Vibrating objects such as power tools send vibration through the hands and arms

Whole-body vibration

Vibrating surfaces where a worker stands or sits send vibration throughout the body

Other risk factors can increase the likelihood of injury from vibration:

Working in cold, damp environments

Increased grip force

Using a vibrating tool for long periods

Assessing the risks

Employers must conduct risk assessments for musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) in their workplace, and eliminate or minimize the risks. Employers must also educate and train workers about MSI risks in the workplace.

How to reduce the risks

When choosing the appropriate risk controls, the employer must consult with the joint health and safety committee or the worker health and safety representative. Be sure to test the risk control before fully implementing to make it work within your organization. To help identify potential risk controls, consider the following questions:

1

Engineering controls

These controls involve making physical modifications to facilities, equipment, and processes to reduce exposure. Key questions to consider:

Can different tools be used that do not generate as much vibration?

Can seating be improved and/or cushions provided?

Can matting be installed?

Can a process be used that generates less vibration?

2

Administrative controls

These controls involve changing work practices and work policies, awareness tools, and training to limit the risk of vibration exposure. Some questions to consider:

Can limits be set for how long a worker performs a task? Can job rotation be used?

Can frequent breaks be scheduled for workers?

3

Personal protective equipment

This control, the least effective, must always be used in addition to at least one other control. Some questions to consider:

Title

A worksheet to help determine if the risk factors identified in Worksheet A pose a high or moderate risk of musculoskeletal injury (MSI). This worksheet is not intended to identify or assess MSI risks...